12 gifts the modern gentleman actually wants this year

Buying for men
is difficult. They might not always have a wish list ready, so
you're often stuck guessing.

Guess no more. We have a list of gifts that the modern gentleman
in your life will love.

From his new favorite sweater to a watch that will last years
longer than anything with an Apple logo on it, these are 12 items
he didn't even know he wanted.

You can take all the credit. We won't tell.

Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Wireless speaker

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

The Zeppelin Wireless speaker is, quite simply, everything one
should want in a speaker.

First off, it sounds good - really good, especially for its size.
For $700 (less than many more expensive speaker sets) you can
fill up a decent-sized room with full, rich sound that certainly
doesn't lack in depth.

It's completely wireless via both Bluetooth and Airplay, so you
can control it from your phone if you have Apple Music or
Spotify. It also includes play buttons on the back, as well as a
3.5-mm aux cord port.

In addition, its sculptural shape looks great on the shelf.
That's a win-win.

Club Monaco Wool Topcoat

Camel coats are no longer optional. If your guy doesn't have one,
this versatile go-anywhere coat should be at the top of your
potential gift list.

This one by Club Monaco blends a classic masculine silhouette
with the typical soft brown color. It's fully lined and made from
a wool blend, but it's styled so it can be dressed up with a suit
or dressed down with a sweater and chinos.

Snowe Whiskey Set

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Snowe likely isn't a brand you've heard of. It hasn't made a name
for itself with any super-elaborate designs or flashy branding.
Instead, what it makes is simple, elegant, high-quality
drinkware, among other things.

This whiskey set is classically simple, but the complexity lies
within. The company mixes Italian heritage glass-making
techniques with new technology, which makes this set ultra-clear
and extremely durable.

It's the kind of item that doesn't announce itself, yet allows
itself to be subtly appreciated by those with a discerning eye.
We're sure you can think of at least one man in your life who
matches that description.

Filson Zipper Tote

Filson is likely a name that needs no introduction. Its
bulletproof products speak for themselves, offering both
longevity and style that is unmatched in the luggage and bags
category.

Its zipper tote applies that quality to the every day. It's big
enough to carry gym clothes, but small enough that it won't get
in the way on the daily morning commute. The styling is both
understated and ruggedly handsome.

The bag is made of waterproof twill cloth with a leather handle
and accents. The brass zipper is rustproof. In short: this is a
bag you can count on.

Outlier 60/30 Chino

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Outlier is a small performance brand that's not very far
well-known outside of its New York City headquarters.

But here's why you should know Outlier: it's the future. Unlike a
lot of "future of clothing" startups, it's actually solving a
problem a lot of guys have. Outlier uses unique fabric
combinations to create pants that both allow full movement and
look good. This is great for avid cyclists and other active
people, or those who just like to be comfortable while still
looking good.

Outlier's 60/30 chinos (named after the pants' fabric combination
- 64% cotton, 29% micro-denier nylon, and 7% elastane) are the
perfect example of this. This means they may look like a regular
pair of chinos, but they have properties like a four-way stretch,
durability, breathability, quick-drying, and even the ability to
"self clean."

Common Projects Original Achilles Leather Sneakers

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Fresh. Clean. Minimal. Bright. The irony of sneakers is that the
simpler they are, the more words can be used to describe them.

Common Projects nearly single-handedly kicked off the minimal
white sneaker trend when it burst onto the scene in 2004. It was
a simple idea: high-quality sneakers with high-quality materials,
simply styled. And the idea caught on like wild fire.

That legacy doesn't come cheap, however, so these cost a bit more
than your standard pair of sneakers. We'd say it's worth it.

Anonymous Ism socks

Contrary to popular belief, giving socks as a present is not a
cop out - provided they're the right socks.

These, from the Japanese brand Anonymous Ism, are the right
socks.

Coming in a variety of different colors, like this five-color
blend, the socks will instantly add personality and a
conversation piece to even the most boring of outfits. Made in
Japan, they're also just about the best quality you can find.

S.N.S. Herning Stark Cardigan

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

If you want a sweater that will keep you warm, look north.
Specifically, look to Denmark.

S.N.S. Herning is a Danish family brand that has done all its
knitting in the country since 1931. The Stark sweater, a unique
button-up mock-neck cardigan, is the perfect infusion of its
maritime-influenced take on luxury.

It's made of 92% virgin wool and is supremely cozy. Whoever gets
this for the winter holiday likely won't take it off until March.

Nomos Metro Neomatik Nachtblau watch

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Let's get this out of the way first: a Nomos is not a Rolex.

That may be obvious to many, but you wear a watch made by Nomos
Glashute for completely different reasons than you would wear a
watch by its Swiss contemporaries. Relatively new to the scene
(it was started in 1990 in Germany), the company gained a devoted
following for its interesting in-house movements and minimal
Bauhaus-inspired designs.

This example is the "Metro Neomatik," a minimally designed,
in-house automatic watch with a 35-mm case, paired with a sleek
black shell cordovan strap.

The Metro was the first Nomos watch to include the brand's unique
swing system, which ensures time is kept as closely to perfect as
possible. The kicker: the watch is only 8 mm. thick.

New for 2016 is its "Nachtblau" collection, which has a handsome
deep blue face underneath its curved sapphire crystal glass.

Schott Waxed Natural Pebbled Cowhide Café Leather Jacket

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Leather jackets aren't all patches and asymmetrical zippers.
Indeed, there's a wide range of designs for every kind of guy.

For the modern gentleman, we think a racer, like this
band-collared cowhide leather jacket, is the perfect blend of
edgy and sophisticated. It's made in the US by Schott, which most
consider the authority on leather jackets. The
family-owned-and-managed company even
invented the motorcycle jacket in 1913.

The thick leather is both warm and tough, taking on a unique
patina as it ages and wears.

Everlane Duffle Bag

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Quality bags tend to be expensive, and for a bag he's not
going to use every day, there's a balance to be struck.

Everlane's minimal take on the travel duffel is the perfect
intersection of reasonable price and high quality. It includes
all the features you'd expect a duffle to have: ample space,
shoulder straps, an interior pocket, and an exterior side
pocket.

It's also really handsome, and will draw more than a few
compliments while he's standing in line to buy tickets for the
Long Island Railroad.

Jack Erwin Ellis Chelsea boots

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Sarah Jacobs/Business Insider

Isn't it about time your dude got on board with the Chelsea boot
trend?

The pointy elasticized footwear has been trendy recently, and
this holiday is the perfect time to catch him up. The boots are
versatile, with a smooth leather that can be dressed up or down
to a wider range than most boots.

These, from the New York-based ecommerce shoe seller Jack Erwin,
are the prototypical version. Made in Spain from full-grain
leather (read: good), the boots also have a rubber sole, making
them appropriate for rain and light snow.